Organic solubilisation and/or extraction solvent, extraction method using said solvent, and extracts obtained by said method

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel organic solubilisation and/or extraction solvent comprising at least one compound selected from the group of saturated monocyclic terpenoids, to an extraction method using said solvent, and to extracts obtained by said method. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel use of para-menthane, a saturated terpenoid compound, as a solvent derived from natural substances, and also to a solvent comprising para-menthane.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A biological extract consisting of compounds of lipophilic nature or partially polar compounds from a plant and and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material, optionally in the presence of solvent, obtained by a method for extracting natural biological compounds, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 (a) bringing a plant and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material or matrix, ground or unground, into contact with an extraction and/or solubilisation solvent that comprises at least 99% para-menthane, then 
 (b) separating residual solid from the plant and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material or matrix, and 
 (c) then partially or completely removing said solvent. 
 
     
     
       2. The biological extract according to  claim 1 , wherein the natural biological extract is selected from fatty acids, lipids, oils, saponifiable compounds, unsaponifiable compounds, phytosterols, phenols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, forms of vitamin E, vitamins, monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes and saturated or unsaturated terpenoid-type compounds, aromatic compounds, flavourings and taste modifiers, perfumes, fragrances, odorous compounds, essential oils, sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds including phenolic acids, esters and mono-phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, stilbenes, lignans, secoiridoids, isoflavones, phytic acids, phenolic alcohols, saponins, antioxidants, carotenoids, chlorophylls, xanthophylls, curcuminoids, betalains, colourings, pigments, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, biocides, antimicrobial compounds, proteins and enzymes. 
     
     
       3. The biological extract according to  claim 1 , wherein the extract is obtained from biological plant material or matrix of natural origin. 
     
     
       4. A method of manufacturing a nutraceutical composition, a dietary or food product, a food supplement, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 providing the extract according to  claim 1 ; and 
 introducing the provided extract into a composition to form a nutraceutical composition, a dietary or food product, a food supplement, or a pharmaceutical composition, which nutraceutical composition, dietary or food product, food supplement or pharmaceutical composition is suitable for oral or parenteral administration. 
 
     
     
       5. A method of manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition or cosmetic composition comprising:
 providing the extract according to  claim 1 ; and 
 introducing the provided extract into a composition to form a pharmaceutical composition or cosmetic composition which is suitable for topical application. 
 
     
     
       6. The biological extract according to  claim 1 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature between 20° C. and 60° C., and the extracted compounds of lipophilic nature or partially polar compounds comprise one or more heat-sensitive compounds. 
     
     
       7. The biological extract according to  claim 6 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature between 40° C. and 60° C. 
     
     
       8. The biological extract according to  claim 6 , wherein the one or more heat-sensitive compounds comprises one or more of odorous terpene-type molecules, carotenoid-type colourings, chlorophyll-type colourings, lipophilic colouring compounds, and fatty acids.